Power-transmission for motor-vehicles.



PATENTED APR. 11, 1905.

S. H. HANSON.

POWER TRANSMISSION FOR. MOTOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 10, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

mm 3% EM M INVENTOR'.

WITNESSES:

ATTORN Y Y Q pK- PATENTED APR. 11, 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

S. H. HANSON. POWER TRANSMISSION FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 10, 1904.

INVENTOR, E11] 115E111;

11 aim/v ATTORN EY No. 787,096. PATBNTED APR. 11, 1905. S. H. HANSON.

POWER TRANSMISSION FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

APLIOATION FILED MAY 10, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

62 INVENTOR'. .7 t EFILEIIDIJIEILE on, 63 BY Patented April 1 1, 1905.

UNTTED STATES PATENT @FFTQE.

STEPHEN ll. HANSON, OF AhhON, ()lllf).

POWER-TRANSMISSION FOR MOTOR-VEHICLES.

SPECIFICATION torming part of Letters Patent No 787,096, dated April 11,1905.

Application filed May 10, 1904. Serial Ne. 207,236.

Be it known that l, STEPHEN Tillxxsox, a

citizen of the l'nited States, residing at Akron, in the county ofSummit and State of Ohio,

have invented certain new and useful improvements m Power FransImssionfor Hotor-Yehicles: and I do hereby declare the. following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertams to l l l l l make anduse the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and tonu- 1 merals of reference marked thereon, which gine either to the rearaxle or to the front axle of the vehicle, or, if desired, applying thepower to both axles of the vehicle at one and the same time.

A further objec t of this invention is to provide a power-transmittingmechanism or dc vice for automobiles whereby the generated power isequally distributed and applied upon both axles of the vehicle and thearrangement of the mechanism being such that certain parts can be forcedout of gear with the rear axle or with the front axle, as desired, andwhereby the power may be transmitted singly to either one of the axlesof the vehicle.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novelpowertransmitting device "or mechanism for automobiles and power-drivenvehicles, the device being so arranged that the power can be transmitteddirectly to the front axle of the vehicle and that without interferingwith the horizontal rotary movements of the said axle while in the actof turning the Vehicle.

similar Other objects of this invention will be evident moreparticularly from the following detailed description of the same.

My invention consists in the novel powertransmitting device or mechanismfor auto mobiles and other power-driven vehicles to be hereinafter moreparticularly described; and, furthermore, this invention consists in thevarious arrangements and combinations of devices and parts, all of whichwill be. hereinafter more fully set forth and then finally embodied inthe clauses of the claim which is appended to and which forms anessential part of this specification.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich Figure l a top or plan view of the lower skeleton frame of avehicle, illustrating the rear and front axles and their wheels, with anauxiliary driving-shaft and the powertrans mitting device or mechanismembodying the principles of my present invention. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal vertical section taken on line 2 2 in said Fig. 1 lookingin the direction of the arrow 1:, the said view representing thepower-trans]nitting device or mechanism in side elevation. .Fig. 3 is afront elevation and part transverse vertical section taken on line 3 3in said Fig. 2 of the drawings and looking in the direction of the arrow1/ in said figure. Fig. l is a longitudinal vertical section of one of apair of gear devices employed with my novel form of 1)ower-transmittingdevice or mechanism. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section of the same, takenon line in said Fig. 4: and Fig. (i is a transverse vertical sectiontaken on line (i 6 in said Fig. .l looking in the direction of the arrow2.

Similar characters of reference are einployed in the above-describedviews to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to the several figures of the drawings, the referencecharacter 1. indicates the rear axle, and 2 the front axle, ofanysuitable construction of motor-vehicle, both of said axles being ofthe kind that revolve in bearings and have their wheels secured to theaxles that they revolve with the axles, the reference character 3indicating an auxiliary shaft, which is rotatably arranged in IOO ' thesaid axle 1 is capable of revolving.

the bearings of suitable brackets 4, which may be secured to the body orany other suitable part of the vehicle, these parts, however, not beingrepresented in the accompanying drawings.

From an inspection of Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings it will be seen thatI have arranged upon the rear axle 1, between a pair of collars 5 orother retaining devices, a box or frame or casing 6 of any suitableconstruction, which is provided in its sides with a pair of tubular hubsor bearings 7, in wlgch peratively connected with the front axle 2 isanother box, frame, or casing, 8, to be hereinafter more fullydescribed, the two boxes, frames, or casings 6 and 8 being connected, bymeans of a reach 9 or any other connectin means, in any suitable manner.Suitab ly affixed upon that portion of the said rear axle 1 within thesaid box, frame, or casing 6 is a gear 10, and in separable mesh withthe said gear 10 is a gear 11. This gear 11 is affixed to a shaft orspindle 12, rotating in suitable bearings connected with a sliding frame13, arranged to slide or reciprocate upon ways or guides 14 (indicatedin dotted outline in said Figs. 1 and 2) and the one end of said shaftor spindle 12 extending through an elongated hole or opening 16 in theside of the casing, frame, or box 6. The said shaft or spindle 12 isprovided with a sprocket-wheel 16, which receives its motion from a linkchain 17 passing over a sprocketwheel 18 upon the auxiliary shaft 3.This shaft 3 is driven from any suitable source of motive power by meansof a link chain 19 passing over a sprocket-wheel 20 upon the said shaft3. -That the said gear 11 may be thrown in and out of mesh with the gear10 the said box, frame, or casing 6 is provided with a pair ofupwardly-extending posts 21, having a pin 22, with which is connected alever or arm 23. The lower end portion of said lever or arm 23 has a pin24 movably arranged in a slotted, post 25, connected with the saidsliding frame 13, the said post 25 extending through an elongatedopening 26 in the said box, frame, or casing 6. Pivotally connected withthe upper end portion of said lever or arm 23 is a rod 27, which ispivotally connected at its opposite end to a crank or arm 28 of aspindle 29, the said spindle oscillating in bearings 30, which may beconnected with the body or other part of the vehicle. The said spindle29 is provided with a second crank-arm 31, with which is connected asystem of operating levers 32 and 33 to be operated by the person seatedin the vehicle, whereby a movement of the lever 32 in the direction ofthe arrows u in Figs. 1 and 2 will produce a reverse movement of thesliding frame 13, and thereby disengages the gear 1 1 from its operativemesh with the gear 10, as will be evident from an inspection of saidFig. 2 of the drawings. From Fig. 1 it will be seen that ordinarily thesprocket-wheel 18 is loosely held upon the auxiliary spindle or shaft 3between a collar 34, and a friction-disk 35, the latter causing the saidwheel 18 to turn with the said spindle or shaft 3 when the parts of aclutch device 36 are in the positions indicated in said Fig. 1. The saidclutch device is actuated from a rod 37, which is attached to acrank-arm 38, also secured to the spindle 29, and it will thus beevident from an inspection of said Figs. 1 and 2 that when the gear 11is Withdrawn from the gear 10 the said friction-disk is withdrawn fromits holding or frictional contact with the sprocket-wheel 18 and thelatter will be brought into its inoperative relation with the auxiliaryshaft or spindle 3. The preferred manner of operatively connecting theother box, frame, or casing, 8, to the front axle 2 of the vehicle is bymeans of an open frame 37, preferably of a rectangular cross-section, asillustrated, the said frame being provided upon its underside with adownwardly-extending pivot 0r stud 38 and having upon its upper side anupwardly-extending post 39. The said frame 37 is also provided upon itsopposite sides with a pair of tubular hubs 40, formin bearings in whichthe axle 2 is free to revo ve, a pair of collars 41 upon the said axle 2preventing a side movement of the said frame 37 upon said axle. Suitablysecured upon the axle 2 and in the openin formed by the said frame 37 isa gear-whee 42, the gear-teeth 43 of this wheel having circular edges44, substantially as illustrated. The box, frame, or casing 8, which ismade, preferably, in the manner illustrated in Figs. 4, 5, and 6, isprovided in its bottom 45 with a perforation 46, in which the pivot orstud 38 is arranged so as to turn therein, and the post 39 extendsthrough a perforation 48 in the upper plate 47 of said box, frame, orcasing 8. Suitably secured upon the said post 39 and directly above theouter surface of the said plate 47 is a disk or plate 49, provided withgearteeth 50, with which are in engagement the teeth of a pinion 52,secured to a steering-rod 51, whereby the said front axle can be turnedhorizontally, as indicated in the dotted outline in said Fig. 1 of thedrawings. These various parts, as will be seen from an inspection moreespecially of Fig. 3 of the drawings, are supported beneath the lowersurface of a frame 53, which is suspended beneath the body of thevehicle in any suitable manner, and preferably by means of springs, as54. A cupped or depressed portion 55 of the said frame 53 is made with aperforation 56, through which the said post 39 extends, and the saidcupped or depressed portion 55 has extending into it a supporting plateor disk 57, which is secured to said post 39 and has its upper convexsurface in oscillatory relation with the lower concave surface of thesaid frame 53, as illustrated. Between a flange, collar, or .nut 58 uponthe said post 3%) and the upper surface of the part of said frame 53 Ihave arranged a spring 59, which encircles the said rod 39 to take upany undue vibratory action when passing over rough roads. In separablemesh with the said gear l2 upon the said front axle 2 is a gear (30,having concaved gearteeth 6], so as to permit of the horizontal rotaryor swinging movement of the axle 2 without throwing the gears 42 and 60out of engagement when the front axle 2 is being driven directly fromthe said gear 60. This gear 60 is af fixed to a shaft or spindle 62,rotating in suitable bearings 63, connected with a sliding frame (H,arranged to slide or reciprocate upon ways or guides 65, as indicated,and the one end of the said shaft or spindle 62 extending through anelongated hole or opening 66 in the said box, frame, or casing S. Thesaid shaft or spindle 62 is provided with a sprocketwheel e7, whichreceives its motion from a l link chain 6o passing over a sprocket-wheell on upon the said auxiliary shaft 3. That the i said gear 60 may bethrown in and out of mesh with the gear 42 the said box, frame, orcasing S is provided with a pair of upl wardly-extemling posts TO,having a pin T1 with which is connected a lever or arm T2. The lower endportion of said lever or arm has a pin T3 movably arranged in a slottedpost Tl, connected with the said sliding frame til, the said postextending through an elongated opening T5 in the said box, frame, orcasing S. Pivotally connected with the upper end portion of the lever orarm T2 is a l crank-arm T6, extending from a spindle TT, oscillating inhearings 78, which may be con- 1 nected with the body or other part ofthe vehicle. The said spindle TT is provided with a second crank-arm T),with which is connected a system of levers SO and S1 to be operated l bythe person seated in the vehicle, whereby a movement of the lever in thedirection of the arrows it in Figs. 1 and 2 will )roduce a 1 reversemovement of the sliding frame 64, i and thereby disengages the gear 60from its operative mesh with the gear l2. l

The sprocket-wheel 69 is loosely held upon the spindle or shaft 3between a collar 82 and a friction-disk S3, the latter causing the saidwheel (SS) to turn with the said spindle or shaft 3 when the parts ofaclutch device 84 are in the positions indicated in said Fig. 1 of the ldrawings. The said clutch device 84 is acl tuated from a rod 85. whichis attached to a crank-arm 16, also secured to the said spindle TT. Itwill thus be evident that when the gear (it) is withdrawn from itsengagementwith the gear :2 the said friction-disk 83 1s 1 also withdrawnfrom its frictional holding l contact with the said sprocket-wheel 69and the latter is brought into its inoperative rela tion with theauxiliary shaft or spindle I).

From the foregoing description of my present invention it will be seenthat I have de vised a simple and opcratively-constructedpower-transmitting mechanism or device for automobiles and otherpower-driven vehicles by means of which the power can be ap plied singlyto either the front or the rear axle of the vehicle or the power can beapplied to both axles at the same time. By an arrangement of thefriction-disks and clutch devices upon the auxiliary shaft thesprocketwheels upon said shaft and the link chains passing over saidsprocket-wheels can be, brought in inoperative relation with the saidauxiliary shaft, the advantages of which are clearly evident.

I am aware that changes may be made in the arrangements and combinationsof the various devices and their parts, as well as in the details of theconstruction of the same, without departing from the scope of my presentinvention. llence I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangementsand combinations of the devices and parts as described 3 in theforegoing specilimttion and as illus trated in the accompanyingdrawings, nor do I confine myself to the exact details of theconstruction of any of the said parts. The arrangemnt of the separablegears in each box, frame, or casing 6 or 8 may also be departed from, ifdesired, and in some instances I may provide with each box, frame, orcasing more than two gears, employing a train of gears in each box,frame or casing, according to the existing conditions in the variousclasses and kinds of vehicles and according to the kinds of engines ormotors employed for driving the vehicles.

Having thus desmibed my invention, what I claim is 1. In a motorvehicle,the combination, with an axle, adapted to revolve in bearings and havinga horizontally and centrally piv otal motion, a gear on said axle, aframe journaled on said axle, a sliding gear in said frame in separableengagement with the gear on i said shaft, means for actuating saidsliding gear, and means for producing the disengagement of said gears,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a motor-vehicle, the combination,

with an axle, adapted to revolve in bearings and having a horizontallyand centrally pivotal motion, a gear on said axle, a frame journaled onsaid axle, a sliding gear in said frame in separable engagement with thegear on said shaft, means for actuating said sliding gear, and means forproducing the disengagement of said gears, consisting, essentlally, of aslide in said box, and a system of IIO &

actuating-levers connected with said slide by means of which said slidemay be moved, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In a motor-vehicle, the combination, with a horizontally-turningaxle, a gear on said axle, a frame journaled on said axle, a boxpivotally connected with said frame, a sliding gear in said box inseparable engagement with the gear on said shaft, means for actuatingsaid sliding gear, means for producing a pivotal movement of said boxupon said frame, and means for producing the disengagement of saidgears, substan tially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. In a motor-vehicle, the combination, with a horizontally-turningaxle, a gear on said axle, a frame journaled on said axle, a boxpivotally connected with said frame, a sliding gear in said box inseparable engagement with the gear on said shaft, means for actuatingsaid sliding gear, means for producing a pivotal movement of said boxupon said frame, and means for producing the disen agement of saidgears, consisting, essentiaIly, of a slide in said box, and a system ofactuating-levers connected with said slide by means of which said slidemaybe moved, substantially as and'for the purposes set forth.

5. In a motor-vehicle, the combination, with a horizontally-turningaxle, a gear on said axle having gear-teeth provided with convex edges,a box connected with said axle, a sliding gear in said box in separableengagement with the gear on said shaft, said sliding gear havingconcaved gear-teeth, means for actuating said sliding gear, and meansfor producing the disengagement of said gears, substantially as and forthe purposes set forth.

6. In a motor-vehicle, the combination, with a horizontally-turningaxle, a gear on said axle having gear-teeth provided with convex edges,a'box connected with said axle,

a sliding gear in said box in separable engagement with the gear on saidshaft, said sliding gear having concaved gear-teeth, means for actuatingsaid sliding gear, and means for producing the disengagement of saidgears, consisting, essentially, of a slide in said box, and a system ofactuating-levers connected with said slide by means of which said slidemay be moved, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. In a motor-vehicle, the combination, with the front and rear axles ofthe vehicle, adapted to revolve in bearings, and said front axle havinga horizontally and centrally pivotal motion, of a power-driven shaft, apair of sprocket-wheels on said shaft, a clutch-disk in engagement witheach sprocket-wheel, means for producing the disengagement of saidclutch-disks from said sprocket-wheels, a driving-gear on said rearaxle, a box journaled on said axle, a sliding gear in said box inseparable engagement with the gear on said rear axle, a sprocketwheelconnected with said sliding gear, and a link chain passing over saidsprocket-wheel and over one of the sprocket-wheels on said power-drivenshaft, a driving gear on said front axle, a box connected with saidfront axle, a sliding gear in said box in separable engagement with saidgear on said front axle, a sprocket-wheel connected with said slidinggear, and a link chain passing over said sprocket-wheel and over theother of said sprocket-wheels on said power-driven shaft, substantiallyas and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereuntoset my hand this 7th day of May, 1904.

STEPHEN H. HANSON.

Witnesses:

FREDK. C. FRAENTZEL, GEO. D. RICHARDS.

